ALBANY, New York — President Donald Trump’s efforts to install political allies as acting U.S. attorneys face another legal showdown this week, as a federal judge prepares to consider New York Attorney General Letitia James’s challenge to the authority of John Sarcone, Trump’s handpicked prosecutor for northern New York. The hearing comes amid a series of rulings in other states finding several Trump-appointed interim prosecutors unlawfully installed.
James, a Democrat, argues that Sarcone lacked legitimate authority to issue subpoenas tied to Justice Department investigations involving her civil lawsuits against Trump and the National Rifle Association. Her legal team says the subpoenas form part of a broader pattern of politically motivated investigations targeting perceived enemies of the administration. They are asking the court to quash the subpoenas and disqualify Sarcone entirely.
Sarcone was appointed interim U.S. attorney by Attorney General Pam Bondi in March, but when his 120-day term expired, district judges declined to extend his appointment. Bondi then designated him a special attorney and named him first assistant U.S. attorney, a maneuver federal officials say permits him to serve as acting U.S. attorney. James argues the move sidestepped federal law governing vacancies.
The dispute follows multiple recent rulings disqualifying Trump-aligned prosecutors in New Jersey, eastern Virginia, Nevada and Los Angeles. In one case, indictments against James herself and former FBI Director James Comey were dismissed.
The Justice Department maintains that the attorney general has broad authority to assign attorneys and delegate investigative duties.
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